Václav Černý (footballer)

Václav Černý (born 17 October 1997) is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a right-winger for Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, and the Czech Republic national team.

Club career

AFC Ajax

In January 2013, Černý signed a youth contract with Dutch club Ajax, moving there exactly one year in January 2014, as he could only transfer after turning 16. Following the footsteps of Zdeněk Grygera and Tomáš Galásek, Černý became the third Czech player to join said club. In January 2015, he signed a professional contract with Ajax, valid until 2018.

2015–16 season

At the start of the 2015–16 season, Černý joined Ajax first team for a training camp in Austria. On 15 August 2015, hmade his first team debut with jersey number 32 in the second round of the Eredivisie 2015/16 against Willem II, ending in a 3–0 victory. Coach Frank de Boer sent him onto the pitch in the 77th minute, replacing Riechedly Bazoer (Ajax had both of their wingers injured, German Amin Younes and Dane Viktor Fischer). He assisted in a goalscoring action during stoppage time. Five days later on 20 August, Černý made his European competition debut in a home play-off match of the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League against Czech team FK Jablonec (a 1–0 victory for Ajax, entering the pitch in the 85th minute, replacing Anwar El Ghazi). His first goal for Ajax came the same year on 26 November, in the group stage of the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League against Scottish team Celtic FC at their home ground, where he scored the winning goal in the 88th minute for a final score of 2–1 for Ajax.

2017–18 season

In October 2017, Černý did not finish a Wednesday match in the Dutch Cup against third-tier De Dijk, in which he contributed one goal to a 4–1 victory and progression to the Round of 16. The Czech winger suffered a serious knee injury. Subsequent examinations confirmed that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the cup match, ending his season prematurely. In mid-December, he underwent surgery.

2018–19 season

Černý returned to football with Ajax's junior team in September 2018 after an eleven-month absence. In December 2018, he sat on the bench for the first team for the first time since his injury. At the start of the year, he gained his first minutes in the first team, playing in a cup match against Heerenveen. During the winter transfer window, he rejected a move to Heerenveen.

Utrecht

Černý joined Utrecht in July 2019, signing a three-year contract with Eredivisie side.

Černý spent the 2020–21 Eredivisie on loan at Twente before transferring permanently in July 2021. On 2 June 2023, Černý was named Eredivisie player of the month for May 2023. On 14 January 2022, he suffered a knee injury after an Eredivisie match against his former club, Ajax.

Twente

2020–21 season

In July 2020, Černý transferred from Utrecht to Twente Enschede for a one-year loan. Černý scored his first goal for Twente on 20 September, opening the scoring against Feyenoord in the second minute, contributing to a 1–1 draw. One week later, Černý played a role in Twente's 3:1 victory over Groningen. On 3 October, Černý scored for the third consecutive match, opening the scoring against Emmen in the 48th minute. However, it was not enough for victory as the match ended in a 1–1 draw. Černý's season came to an early end in January when he tore ligaments in his knee during a match against Ajax. In 17 competitive matches during the season, Černý scored six goals and provided seven assists, earning his first call-up to the senior national team.

2021–22 season

In early July 2021, Černý transferred from Utrecht to Twente permanently, signing a two-year contract with an option for another two years. Černý returned to training with Twente in October 2021 after a nine-month absence due to injury. He made his first appearance after injury on 20 November, coming on for the final minutes of a league match against Sparta Rotterdam. In spring, Černý mostly came on as a substitute, appearing in a total of 18 league matches whilst scoring one goal.

2022–23 season

Černý started the 2022–23 season in great form, having scored five goals in nine matches by early September. He scored twice in a 2–1 victory over PSV Eindhoven and once in a 4–0 victory against SBV Excelsior. Twente was again competing for a European qualification spot in the league. In mid-May, the team from Enschede achieved a significant 4–0 victory against Nijmegen, with Černý scoring the opening goal, assisting two more, and receiving applause from fans upon substitution. This marked his twelfth goal of the season. Černý had an outstanding season in the Dutch league, amassing 14 goals and 13 assists. His contributions helped Twente secure a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League for the following season.

Vfl Wolfsburg and loan to Rangers

On 23 June 2023, VfL Wolfsburg announced the signing of Černý on a four-year contract. The same year on 3 November, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 2–2 draw against Werder Bremen.

On 26 July 2024, Rangers announced Černý on a one-year loan. On 10 August, he scored his first goal for Rangers against Motherwell at Hampden Stadium. On 6 October, Černý scored his first brace for Rangers in their 2–0 victory St Johnstone at Ibrox.

International career

Youth

Černý represented Czech national youth football teams from the under-16 level. He was called up to the Czech Republic under-21 team in August 2015 at the age of 17. This call-up drew media attention as if Černý played in the against Latvia or Malta in early September, he would become the youngest player to represent the team. Černý made his U21 debut on 4 September, starting in the 4–1 victory against Malta.

Senior

Černý debuted for the Czech senior national team on 11 November 2020 in a friendly match against Germany. He started and was substituted at half-time in the 1–0 loss.

After missing out the UEFA Euro 2020 due to health issues, Černý returned to the national team in June 2022 for the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A matches against Spain, Switzerland, and Portugal. He played only half an hour against the former and assisted on Jan Kuchta's goal, ending in a 2–2 draw.

On 17 November 2022, Černý scored his first goal in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against Faroe Islands, ending in a 5–0 victory for the Czech Republic.

Style of play

Former manager of VfL Wolfsburg, Niko Kovač, described Černý as a left-footed player with speed and technical skills.

Personal life

Černý's father, also named Václav, is the head coach of FK Příbram.

Career statistics

Club

International

:''Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Černý goal.''

Honours

Ajax
*Eredivisie: 2018–19
*KNVB Cup: 2018–19
*UEFA Europa League: runners-up 2016–17

Jong Ajax
*Eerste Divisie: 2017–18

Individual
* Czech Talent of the Year: 2015
*Eredivisie Player of the Month: May 2023
*Eredivisie Team of the Month: May 2023

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cerny, Vaclav
1997 births
Living people
Footballers from Příbram
Czech men's footballers
21st-century Czech sportsmen
Men's association football wingers
Czech Republic men's youth international footballers
Czech Republic men's under-21 international footballers
Czech Republic men's international footballers
UEFA Euro 2024 players
AFC Ajax players
Jong Ajax players
FC Utrecht players
FC Twente players
VfL Wolfsburg players
Eerste Divisie players
Eredivisie players
Bundesliga players
Czech expatriate men's footballers
Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands
Czech expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Czech expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Czech expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Rangers F.C. players
Scottish Professional Football League players